Appeal filed for Ascolese

Linebacker Vin Ascolese, who signed with Arkansas in February but failed to be academically cleared, said he’s optimistic an appeal by Arkansas and his family to the NCAA will allow him to enroll in January. Ascolese, 6-2, 220 pounds, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, attended Hudson County School of Technology in North Bergen, N.J., but it didn’t offer athletics so he played football at North Bergen High School.